Hand operated computer input device with palm heel support

ABSTRACT

A hand operated computer input device comprising a main body that supports the palm heel is provided. To select, input, or control objects on a computer screen, the user places their palm heel on top of the input device instead of at the back of the device or on a tabletop. This allows the arm and hand to rest on the strength of the palm heel rather than on the weakness of the wrist. The thumb and fingers are still used to activate buttons, wheels, knobs, balls, sticks, etc. on the computer input device. A vertical computer input device with an integrated support for the side of a user&#39;s hand per the present invention, prevents repeated pressure and rubbing against the muscles, tendons, canals, nerves and other soft body tissue in the side of a hand, palm heel, wrist, and forearm of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This present invention relates to a hand operated wired or wireless computer input device. The most popular hand operated computer input devices are commonly called a computer mouse or a computer keyboard. There are many alternative names for computer input devices such as a gaming mouse, vertical mouse, ergonomic mouse, CadMouse®, multimedia controller, trackball mouse, Oyster Mouse®, OrthoMouse™, SpaceMouse®, wave keyboard, and gaming keyboard.

Description of the Related Art

Most inventions for a typical computer input device consist of providing a hand operated device with buttons, switches, wheels, a ball, a joystick, or some other mechanism to send and receive wired or wireless computer signals to navigate, select, create, or edit files or objects on a computer screen.

However, no computer input device inherently provides support for the palm heel, reference prior art Ergonomic Pointing Device, US Patent 20050275621, FIG. 6. In this prior art, the weight of the arm and hand must rest on the wrist and front forearm. See FIG. 3B of this present invention. The back edge of the palm heel, the wrist, and forearm are dragged across the desktop or mouse pad as the operator moves the mouse to affect objects on a computer screen. This causes repeated pressure and rubbing against the muscles, tendons, canals, nerves and other soft body tissue in the palm heel, wrist, and forearm that contributes to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). This same hand position is true for a computer keyboard. A user's wrist rests on a table top or wrist pad. The operator may also strain a wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm or even a shoulder in an attempt to minimize or alleviate pressure on the wrist while using a hand operated computer input device.

A conventional mouse or keyboard requires a mouse pad, keyboard wrist support, or some other ergonomic object to lessen or remove the weight placed on the wrist; reference Wrist Rest Support for a Computer Mouse, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,655A, and Wrist Support for Computer Keyboard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,606A.

In this prior art, the wrist pad or rest provides a cushioned support for the wrist however; the weight of the arm is still placed on the wrist.

In prior art U.S. D340,923S, U.S. D331,231S, U.S. D438,209S1, and U.S. D494,972S1 the hand is rolled inward over the mouse. “In simple terms, the primary cause of computer mouse RSI is the unnatural inwardly rolled position of the hand required by the shape of a conventional mouse and the location of the buttons, or finger actuated controls, thereon.” Reference U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,479 B2, Ergonomic Computer Mouse.

In vertical mouse prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,733A, 5,648,798A, and U.S. D632,691S1, all four fingers are supported vertically stacked. Yet even the Top Rated Vertical Mouse, reference The 10 Best Vertical Mice, Wiki.ezvid.com Feb. 2, 2018 offers a separate ‘wrist support on the Evoluent Wrist Comfort Mousepad that lifts your forearm slightly to help align hand with forearm’, reference evoluent.com. In vertical mouse prior art US20030234765A1, similar to a joystick, there's no inherent rest for the side of the palm heel reference FIG. 12 of this present invention. The built-in rest would provide support for the weight of a users arm as well as lift a user's wrist and forearm off of a table top or wrist pad.

In prior art such as U.S. Pat. D494,972S1, the scroll wheel is rotatably attached to the upper casing and positioned between the primary and secondary mouse buttons. The scroll wheel on a conventional mouse is typically operated by the user's index or middle finger. In this present invention, a first embodiment positions the scroll wheel in the same location. In a second embodiment of this present invention, the scroll wheel is rotatably attached to the side of the computer input device and is operated by the user's thumb.

Prior art for computer input devices do not take advantage of the strongest part of the hand which is the palm heel. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a computer input device with support for the palm heel to eliminate the pressure and strain placed on the wrist while operating a computer input device. Even a vertical mouse with an integrated support for the side of the hand and wrist per this present invention would allow the hand and wrist to move as one and eliminate rubbing the side of the hand, wrist, or forearm on a table top. The material used for the palm heel, or for the side of a palm heel seat or rest, may consist of or be covered with innovative plastics, elastomers, and textures that provide a comfortable feel to a palm heel of the user. The palm heel, or in the case of a vertical mouse, the side of the palm heel supports the weight of the arm and hand instead of the wrist or forearm supporting this weight. The wrist makes no contact with the desktop, tabletop, or mouse pad surface. See FIG. 3A of this present invention. Providing a place for the palm heel on top of the computer input device also prevents the operator from rolling their hand inward over the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

A main objective of the present invention is to provide a hand operated computer input device with a casing that supports the palm heel. In this present invention, the user places their palm heel on top of the computer input device. Placing the palm heel on top of the input device lifts the user's wrist off of the tabletop and puts the weight of the arm on the palm heel instead of the wrist. Nothing touches the user's wrist. This will prevent damage to the wrist and forearm due to pressure caused by the weight of the user's arm. Reference 10 Ways to Prevent Repetitive Strain Injury_by Deborah Quilter; #4 “Never rest your wrists on the desk, wrist pad or armrests while you are typing, or using a mouse or trackball.” See Deborah Quilter www.RSIHelp.com.

Since the palm heel is not on the tabletop, the hand is not rolled inward over the computer input device. This is also a cause of “mouse RSI” according to the book entitled Repetitive Strain Injury A Computer User's Guide by Emil Paccarelli, M.D., and Deborah Quilter, (ISBN 0-471-59533-0, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1994), reference U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,479B2.

The design of this present invention accomplishes another objective. The angle between the carpus (wrist) and metacarpus (area between the wrist and fingers) is eliminated whether using a keyboard or mouse. See FIG. 3B of this present invention. The angle is created when the wrist and hand are placed on a tabletop, and the hand is lifted up to place the palm of the hand on the input device. If the palm heel is on top of the input device as described in this present invention, then the metacarpus can remain parallel (FIG. 3A) to the carpus. Fatigue and strain to the wrist is reduced by eliminating this angle.

The palm heel, wrist, forearm, and input device move as one unit to position the cursor or screen object on the display. This prevents RSI to the wrist because of the tendency to keep the forearm or wrist stationary while gripping the input device and moving the hand to position the cursor to various points on the display. Moving as one unit reduces the lateral motion at the wrist. Less twisting at the wrist reduces the strain and fatigue to muscles, tendons, canals, nerves, and other soft body tissue in the wrist. While operating the input device, the wrist now maintains the same alignment with the palm heel that is achieved when the hand and arm are stretched out straight in front of you. When using a keyboard, the hands, wrists, and forearms can also move as one unit without the angle between the wrist and metacarpus.

In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives in this present invention, the back of the input device is raised up and extended rather than sloped down to provide a seat for the palm heel. This allows the palm and the palm heel to be completely on top of the input device.

Another objective of this present invention is to keep the popular style of a typical computer keyboard and mouse. The most common features of a typical mouse are two buttons and a center scroll wheel on the topside of the mouse, reference U.S. Pat. D439,252S1.

Another embodiment of this computer input device will move the scroll wheel from the top of the input device to the side of the input device. The scroll wheel is operated by the users thumb, reference US Patent US 2003/0137490A1. The standard convention of this embodiment will be a thumb activated scroll wheel on the left side of the input device for right handed operators. An alternate embodiment is a thumb activated scroll wheel on the right side of the input device for left handed operators.

Other than the standard or typical hand operated computer input device largely used for surfing the Internet, selecting, creating or editing files and objects, the embodiment of this design is also applicable to other types of wired and wireless hand operated computer input devices. See FIG. 7.

Another aspect of the invention provides a hand operated input device for a computer system.

The hand operated input system for a computer system comprises:

a pointing-device portion;

a palm-resting portion extending from an end portion of the pointing-device portion and comprising:

-   -   a top surface having a convex portion;     -   a bottom surface;     -   a first side surface for connecting the top surface and the         bottom surface;     -   a second side surface for connecting the top surface and the         bottom surface; and     -   a rear surface connected to the top, bottom, a first side, and a         second side surfaces.

The palm-resting portion is configured to support a palm heel of the user comfortably, such that a wrist portion of the user is generally stretched in a relaxed fashion and makes no contact with a surface.

The convex portion of the top surface of the palm-resting portion may be configured to support the palm heel of the user snugly.

The convex portion of the top surface of the palm-resting portion may have a predetermined height from a floor, such that the wrist portion is straightened substantially so as to ease out stress on the wrist portion.

The palm-resting portion may have a predetermined width so as to support the palm of the user comfortably.

The palm-resting portion may have a predetermined length so as to support the palm of the user comfortably.

The palm-resting portion may comprise a sliding portion with a lowered friction against the floor.

The sliding portion may be disposed so as to be leveled with a bottom portion of the pointing-device portion.

The sliding portion may comprise one or more roller devices.

The horizontal, vertical, or diagonal pointing-device portion may comprise a computer mouse, buttons, wheels, wheel clicks, grips, a tracking ball, a ball, laser, a knob, switches, sensors, levers, scrollbars, scroll clicks, lights, joystick, and any mechanism to select or control on-screen objects.

The top surface of the palm-resting portion may have or has an adjustable height.

The hand operated input system may further comprise a neck portion disposed between the pointing-device portion and the palm-resting portion, and the neck portion may have or has an adjustable length. The palm-resting portion may comprise innovative plastics, elastomers, textures, and even gels that provide a comfortable feel to the palm heel.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the hand operated input device reduces stress on a wrist portion of a user; and (2) the hand operated input device provides an easy solution to RSI problem.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with references to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional mouse, in comparison to and upgraded with the shape and length of the back of a first embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment is shown with an upper and lower casing however, the palm heel support could be integral to a single casing;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a first embodiment according to the present invention showing the user's palm heel resting on top of the input device;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a user's hand over a computer input device according to prior art; such as U.S. Pat. D340,923;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a first embodiment showing a rest or seat for the palm heel according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a top half view and FIG. 5B is a bottom half view of a first embodiment wired computer input device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment according to the present invention showing the scroll wheel on the left side of the input device for right handed operators;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a third embodiment according to the present invention showing a tracking ball used to position a mouse cursor to select or move objects on a display;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention also showing a tracking ball used to position a mouse cursor to select or move objects on a display;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a fifth embodiment showing a typical ball used to position objects and text for multi-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings according to the present invention. In place of the ball could be a joystick, knob, or some other control used to affect objects on a display.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a sixth embodiment applied to Contour Design's ShuttlePRO v2®. This sketch is intended only as a replica of the ShuttlePRO v2®. The sketch adds depth and height for an integral palm heel support similar to FIG. 2 of this present invention (a side view). The palm heel support could be lengthened to allow a user to easily access the aft buttons on the ShuttlePRO v2®;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a seventh embodiment showing a vertical mouse with a palm heel rest according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an eighth embodiment showing a vertical mouse with a palm heel rest according to the present invention. The addition of an integrated palm heel support applies to any wired or wireless vertical mouse such as the Anker AK-98ANWVM-UBA®, the Adesso iMouseE10®, or the Evoluent VerticalMouse 4®. The support for the side of the hand and/or palm heel side may be symmetrical or asymmetrical since a user's hand is mostly on just one side of the input device. As with a horizontal computer input device, the added rest may be of any length, width or height without departing from the intent of this present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 for a first embodiment. A computer input device (100) with support (10) for the palm heel, primarily consists of a typical mouse housing portion (90), as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 that includes an upper casing (15) and a lower casing (20) coupled to the upper casing (15), however the back of the upper casing (15) is not sloped down like the portion (25), in FIG. 1, especially as shown in (50) U.S. Pat. No. 7,304,636B2, but is extended like the portion (30) to provide a seat or rest for the palm heel as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Since the palm heel is on top of the I/O device (FIG. 3A), rather than behind the I/O device (FIG. 3B), the weight of the arm is placed on the palm heel instead of the wrist and the user's hand does not have to roll inward to grip the I/O device. Nothing touches the user's wrist. This eliminates pressure and rubbing against the wrist.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a palm heel support (35), primary (40) and secondary (45) depressible buttons, and a top scroll wheel (50). The upper casing (15) in FIG. 5 has a concave shape (55) just aft of the main depressible buttons, then slopes up (60) to provide a rest (35) for the palm heel. This concave shape (55) is not required to provide the palm heel seat; it is merely a cosmetic selection. The operator does not have to strain a wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm or even a shoulder to minimize or alleviate pressure on the wrist while using a computer input device. The back edge (65) of the input device is straight down rather than sloped down as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6. The user can move the computer input device in any direction on the table top by applying slight pressure to a palm heel while moving the same hand. This causes the input device, palm heel, wrist, and forearm to move as one unit. There is no RSI to the wrist because of the tendency to keep the forearm stationary while gripping the input device and moving just a hand to position the screen object to various points on the display. Moving as one unit reduces the lateral motion (RSI) and twisting at the wrist.

In FIG. 5B, the lower casing (20) contains the required circuitry (70) to select and control objects on a display (not shown). The span (75) shows the extended length of the lower casing (20) to mate to the upper casing (15) for the palm heel support (35). The present invention applies to wired and wireless computer input devices. A lower casing (20) may include but is not limited to a roller ball, optical tracking, laser tracking, or any technology that processes the movement of a user's hand with the input device to update the position of a cursor on a display.

Reference Patents

D413322 Roller Ball Tracking US20060279545A1 Laser (Optical) Tracking US7129929B1 Optical Tracking D349280 Wired Mouse D459353 Wireless Mouse

Other Patents Referenced in this Application

US20030137490A1 Mouse Side Scroll Wheel US20040150623A1 Input Device Including a Wheel Assy for Scrolling an Image in Multiple Directions US20050275621A1 Ergonomic Pointing Device D331231S Computer Mouse D340923S Computer Mouse D438209S Computer Mouse USD439252S1 Computer Mouse D494972S1 Wireless Mouse USD632691S1 Computer Mouse US5576733A Ergonomic Computer Mouse US5648798A Universal Ergonomic Computer Mouse/Trackball US20030234765A1 Vertical Handheld Computer Mouse US6396479B2 Ergonomic Computer Mouse US5228655A Wrist Rest Support for a Computer User US6292113B1 Finger Operated Module for Generating Encoding Signals US7216398B2 Computer Mouse with a Cleaning Function US7304636B2 Ergonomic Mouse US5125606A Wrist Support for Computer Keyboard

Reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,398B2 “The mouse circuit mechanism for a wired mouse is typically supplied power by a computer. The mouse circuit mechanism for a wireless mouse is typically supplied power by a battery. Since the computer mouse is well known technology, no further detailed description is provided about the housing and the circuit mechanism.” All current and future technology to select and control objects on a display using a hand operated computer input device may be applied to the casing described in this present invention.

A second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 applies the palm heel support casing (35) of this present invention to a hand operated computer input device with a side scroll wheel (80). Here, the scroll wheel is moved from the top of the input device to the side of the input device. The scroll wheel is operated by a users thumb, reference US Patent 20030137490A1. The side scroll wheel (80) in FIG. 6 of a second embodiment can use, but is not limited to Tilt Wheel Technology™ to allow scrolling in four different directions, reference US Patent 20040150623A1. The standard convention of this embodiment is a thumb activated scroll wheel on the left side of the input device for right hand operators. An alternate embodiment is a thumb activated scroll wheel on the right side of the input device for left hand operators. A thumb activated scroll wheel (80) is not a new feature and may include both a side and top scroll wheel. However, the most popular hand operated computer input devices place the scroll wheel on the top side of the device. The upper casing concaves (90) just aft of the depressible buttons, then rises to provide a seat (95) for the palm heel according to the present invention. The lower casing (85) provides a cutaway (88) for a side scroll wheel (80) as shown in FIG. 6. The cutaway (88) for the side scroll wheel (80) may be provided on either or both sides of the upper and lower casings (85), and is not the main focus of this present invention.

A third embodiment in FIG. 7 applies the present invention to a mouse with a tracking ball (105) used to position a cursor or select an object on a display. This application is to show the palm heel rest can be applied to any hand operated computer input device. The upper casing provides a seat (110) for the palm heel according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment, Logitech's TrackMan® Marble® showing a tracking ball (115) used to position a cursor or screen object on a computer display with a palm heel support (120) according to this present invention.

FIG. 9 is a fifth embodiment showing a computer input device used to position objects and text for multi-dimensional drawings such as the SpaceBall® or SpaceExplorer™ by 3D Connexion with a palm heel support (125) according to this present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sixth embodiment applied to Contour Design's multimedia controller ShuttlePRO v2® and could also be applied to their ShuttleXpress®. These computer input devices would benefit from an integrated palm heel support according to this present invention.

FIG. 11 is an seventh embodiment similar to the Evoluent™ vertical mouse adding support for the side of a user's hand and palm heel according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an eighth embodiment showing a vertical computer input device with built-in support for the side of a user's hand and palm heel according to the present invention;

Although the present invention has been explained in eight separate embodiments, “it is understood that many ornamental designs, modifications, and variations can be made to provide a seat or rest for the palm heel or the side of the hand and palm heel without departing from the spirit and scope of this present invention”, reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,398B2.

As described earlier, the embodiment of a palm heel support according to this present invention is also applicable to other types of wired or wireless hand operated devices that create, select, modify, move, or delete objects on a display screen.

Other than the standard or typical hand operated computer input device largely used for surfing the Internet, selecting, creating or editing text and objects, the embodiment of this design is also applicable to other types of wired and wireless hand operated devices that select or move objects on a display as shown in FIG. 7.

Another aspect of the invention provides a hand operated input device for a computer system.

The hand operated input system (100) for a computer system comprises:

a pointing-device portion (110);

a palm-resting portion (120) extending from an end portion of the pointing-device portion (110) and comprising:

-   -   a top surface (122) having a convex portion;     -   a bottom surface (124);     -   a first side surface (126) for connecting the top surface and         the bottom surface;     -   a second side surface (127) for connecting the top surface and         the bottom surface; and     -   a rear surface (128) connected to the top, bottom, a first side,         and a second side surfaces (122, 124, 126, 127) as shown in         FIGS. 2 and 4.

The palm-resting portion (120) is configured to support a palm heel of the user comfortably, such that a wrist portion of the user is generally stretched in a relaxed fashion and makes no contact with a surface of the palm-resting portion (120).

The convex portion of the top surface (122) of the palm-resting portion (120) may be configured to support the palm heel of the user snugly.

The convex portion of the top surface (122) of the palm-resting portion (120) may have a predetermined height from a floor, such that the wrist portion is straightened substantially so as to ease out stress on the wrist portion.

The palm-resting portion (120) may have a predetermined width so as to support the palm of the user comfortably.

The palm-resting portion (120) may have a predetermined length so as to support the palm of the user comfortably.

The palm-resting portion (120) may comprise a sliding portion with a lowered friction against the floor.

The sliding portion may be disposed so as to be leveled with a bottom portion of the pointing-device portion.

The sliding portion may comprise one or more roller devices (125) as shown in FIG. 2.

The pointing-device portion (120) may comprise a computer mouse, a tracking ball, a ball, a knob, buttons, wheels, switches, and a joystick.

The top surface (122) of the palm-resting portion (120) may have an adjustable height using the one or more roller devices (125).

The hand operated input system may further comprise a neck portion disposed between the pointing-device portion and the palm-resting portion, and the neck portion have an adjustable length. The palm-resting portion may comprise innovative plastics, elastomers, and textures that provide a comfortable feel to the palm heel.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A hand operated input device for a computer system, comprising: a housing including an upper casing and a lower casing coupled to the upper casing; a circuit configured to control a screen object on a display mounted in the housing; a primary depressible button and a secondary depressible button movably attached to the upper case; and a resting seat portion for a palm heel integral to the upper casing to allow a hand of a human user to rest on top of the input device in a relaxed position, wherein a top surface of the upper casing is configured to extend generally upwardly to form the resting seat portion for the palm heel.
 2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the hand is not rolled inward over the input device so as to prevent a repetitive strain injury.
 3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the resting seat portion is configured that the wrist makes no contact with the input device, desktop, tabletop, or mouse pad surface so as to eliminate the pressure and rubbing against the wrist of the user.
 4. The input device of claim 3, wherein the resting seat portion is configured such that the weight of the arm is placed on the palm heel rather than on the wrist of the user or on some combination of the rear edge of a palm heel, a wrist, and forearm of the user.
 5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the angle between the carpus and metacarpus is eliminated so as to allow the hand of the user to be parallel to the wrist of the user to prevent repetitive strain injury to a wrist of the user caused by this angle.
 6. The input device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for manual movement by both the hand and arm of the user as one unit across a surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of the screen object on the computer display, wherein the lateral motion at the wrist created when moving a typical computer mouse by keeping the forearm stationary and moving just the hand is reduced.
 7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the palm-resting portion comprises at least one of plastics, elastomers, and textures that provide a comfortable feel to the palm heel.
 8. The input device of claim 1, further comprising a scroll wheel rotatably mounted between the primary depressible button and the secondary depressible button.
 9. The input device of claim 1, wherein a scroll wheel is rotatably mounted between the upper and lower casing and positioned on a side of the input device to be operated by a thumb of the user.
 10. A hand operated input system for a computer system, comprising: a pointing-device portion; a palm-resting portion integrally extending from an end portion of the pointing-device portion and comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a first side surface for connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; a second side surface for connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; and a rear surface connected to the top, bottom, a first side, and a second side surfaces, wherein the top surface is configured to extend generally upwardly to form the palm-resting portion, wherein the palm-resting portion is configured to support a palm heel of the user, such that a wrist portion of the user is generally stretched in a relaxed fashion and makes no contact with a desktop, tabletop, or mouse pad surface.
 11. The hand operated input system of claim 10, wherein the top surface has a convex portion configured to form the palm-resting portion to support the palm heel of the user.
 12. The hand operated input system of claim 11, wherein the convex portion of the top surface of the palm-resting portion has a predetermined height from a floor, such that the wrist portion is straightened substantially so as to ease stress on the wrist portion.
 13. The hand operated input system of claim 12, wherein the palm-resting portion has a predetermined width so as to support the palm of the user.
 14. The hand operated input system of claim 12, wherein the palm-resting portion has a predetermined length so as to support the palm of the user.
 15. The hand operated input system of claim 12, wherein the palm-resting portion comprises a sliding portion with a lowered friction against the floor.
 16. The hand operated input system of claim 15, wherein the sliding portion is disposed so as to be leveled with a bottom portion of the pointing-device portion.
 17. The hand operated input system of claim 15, wherein the sliding portion comprises one or more roller devices, optical or laser tracking to detect mouse motion.
 18. The hand operated input system of claim 11, wherein the pointing-device portion comprises at least one of a computer mouse, a tracking ball, a ball, a knob, buttons, wheels, switches, and a joystick.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The hand operated input system of claim 10, further comprising a neck portion disposed between the pointing device portion and the palm-resting portion, wherein the palm-resting portion comprises innovative plastics, elastomers, and textures that provide a comfortable feel to the palm heel.
 21. The input device of claim 1, wherein the resting seat portion is configured generally at a rearward back portion of the upper casing.
 22. The input device of claim 1, wherein a back edge of the input device is configured in a generally straight down arrangement.
 23. The input device of claim 1, wherein the upper casing is configured with a concave shape just aft of the primary depressible button and the secondary depressible button and then extends to slope generally upwards to form the resting seat portion for the palm heel.
 24. The input device of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the resting seat portion for the palm heel is positioned at a higher elevation than any other top surface along the upper casing.
 25. The hand operated input system of claim 10, wherein the palm-resting portion for the palm heel is configured at the highest elevation of the top surface.
 26. The hand operated input system of claim 10, wherein the top surface is configured with a concave shape that extends to slope generally upwards to form the palm-resting portion for the palm heel. 